Two New Books and a Tea Towel

My hubby recently ordered a book for me from Amazon that's been on my wish list, and it arrived yesterday.

The 305 page, hardcover book, is about the author's passion for all things vintage. Written by Angel Adoree, and published in Great Britain in 2011, it looks like a fun book.  

Three sections of the book include photos and recipes for Brunch, Afternoon Tea, and Evening parties.  The fourth and final section is about Style.

The photo below is from the Brunch section, and is Smoked Salmon Souffle in a cup.

The section on Afternoon Tea includes recipes, but also dressing for tea by wearing a hat. The author tells how to make a simple hat or fascinator.

The section on Evening Parties looks fun too, but I especially liked the section on Style.  The author states your clothes will speak a thousand words before you speak one, and if you care about the impression you make you will care for your style.

I won the second book that I recently acquired.  I rarely win anything, but several years ago I signed up for Andrew Clarkson's Titanic newsletter, and he frequently has contests when a new Titanic book is published.  In a recent contest I was the first person to submit my answer, and won the book. It arrived from the publisher last week.  Even though it's past the date when attention is drawn to the Titanic's sinking, it will be an interesting read, and might provide new information for a Titanic Tea commemorating those who lost their lives in the disaster.

A friend recently went to Shipshewana, Indiana [Amish Country], and brought me back a tea-themed tea towel because she knows I collect them.  Isn't it lovely?  

Governor Warner Mansion Fundraiser

Yesterday I attended a fundraiser luncheon at the Huron River Club in Farmington, MI to benefit the Governor Warner Mansion - a Michigan Historic Site.  

During the summer months they host lovely teas on the porch of the mansion, and I blogged about one I attended last August here.

The Huron River Club [or Hunt Club] is a hunter's delight, because many animal heads adorn the walls, and life-size animals are part of the decor as well.

In the foyer was a long table with miniature purses to deposit raffle tickets for the drawing of prizes donated by 28 Farmington businesses.  There was also a boutique for shopping before the luncheon began featuring items from nine Farmington businesses.

The tables were decorated beautifully with orchid napkins and fresh purple tulip centerpieces.

The meal was delicious. It began with a salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, grated carrots, and cucumber slices, tossed with raspberry vinaigrette.   The tea was served iced.

The main entree was Chicken Piccata, julienned yellow squash, zucchini, and carrots, and roasted potatoes.

Dessert was Key Lime cheesecake with strawberry sauce.

Following lunch was a fashion show called Fabulous Farmington Fashions.  The garments were from three clothing stores in Farmington.  This was the sixth year for the fashion show fundraiser. 

It was a lovely afternoon spent with a lovely group of ladies.  But the day wasn't over yet. My granddaughter, Brooke, was in her Middle School Talent Show at 7:00 p.m., so I went to watch her performance. Since Grandma's have bragging rights, her picture is included in this post. Great job, Brooke!

Computer Maintenance

My computer will be in the shop for a day or two for some maintenance.  I'll resume blogging when it returns.

J.L. Hudson's Presentation at Mill Race Village, Northville, MI

Last January, I was contacted by the Northville Historical Society to give my J.L. Hudson Department Store presentation at Mill Race Historical Village.  

The photo below is Cady Inn.  The saltbox style building is believed to be an early coach stop. It was moved to the village in 1987, and it's where the Northville Historical Society offices are located.  It's also where the Afternoon Tea was held on Saturday which preceded my Hudson's presentation.

The Village has been designated a Michigan Historical Site.  The property was given to the City of Northville in 1972 by the Ford Motor Company.  In the right photo below is a Blacksmith Shop and Livery Stable, stone structure; Wash Oak Schoolhouse, blue building built in 1873 and moved to the Village in 1975; and New School [Presbyterian] Church, white building built in 1845.  

The church building is where my presentation was held.  I set up my display case before the tea started at 1:00 p.m.  My presentation began at 2:30 p.m.  

The building served as a church for only four years, then was used as a school, township hall, Salvation Army barracks, and the Northville Library for 70 years.  The Northville Historical Society was formed in 1964 to save the building from demolition, and it was moved to the Village in 1972.

Below - J.M. Mead General Store, built between 1830-1850.  It was reconstructed with original materials in 2010.  It is presently the gift shop, and sits directly across the street from Cady Inn.

There are other houses in the village, but due to time limitations and the drizzly weather I didn't photograph them.

Below is Vicky O'Neil, owner of Victoria's Tea Salon Catering.  She prepared the delicious food for the Afternoon Tea.

Left: Vicky's staff assembling Maurice Salads.  Right: One of the Cady Inn rooms set up for Afternoon Tea.

 Cady Inn is ready to host Afternoon Tea.  I love the fresh, cheery daffodils!

Left:  Door Prize and Raffle Gift Basket.  Right:  Tillie Van Sickle and Pat Allen, Historical Society Members.  Tillie is the lady who contacted me about speaking.

Left:  Tea Time sign in front of Cady Inn welcoming the attendees.  Right:  Beautiful eclectic china place settings. 

Left:  Savory Cheese Scones.  Right:  Three Tier Server.  Bottom - Savory Cheese Scones; Middle - Chicken Salad Sandwich on Oat Nut Bread, Egg Salad on White Bread, and Cucumber on Whole Wheat Bread; Top - Toll House Cookie, Coconut Custard Pie, and Strawberry Mini Muffin.  Tea was a Raspberry Black Tea called Cady House Tea, blended especially for Mill Race Village, and available for purchase at the General Store.

Left: Menu.  Right: Vicky telling the ladies about the Afternoon Tea recipes found in a Hudson's cookbook.

Left:  Hudson's signature Maurice Salad - Ham, Turkey, and Swiss Cheese; Right: My table at Afternoon Tea.

The teapot on the ticket at left, is the same teapot that's on the vintage Hudson's advertising trade card in my collection.  I love that Hudson's used a teapot on their trade card.

Following the tea the 63 ladies walked the short distance from Cady Inn to the church for the J.L. Hudson's presentation.

The ladies were attentive and responsive, and I enjoyed sharing with them.  One of Hudson's annual traditions was the Thanksgiving Day Parade which began in 1924.  One 'tea tidbit' that I shared with the ladies was that June Lockart was one of the parade celebrities in 1964. A parade worker related that she was annoyed with Ms. Lockart when she demanded a cup of hot tea in the midst of the bustling parade preparations.  Obviously the parade worker wasn't a tea drinker, and didn't know that when you need a cup of tea, you need a cup of tea. It's as simple as that!  ;-)

Special thanks to the Northville Historical Society for inviting me to share a nostalgic subject that Metro-Detroiters love - J.L. Hudson's Department Store!

Sunday Reflection...

~ Thursday, May 1st was National Day of Prayer ~

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  II Chronicles 7:14

"And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the request which we have asked from Him."  I John 5:14-15

Ephesians 3:20 tells us God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Someone has rightly said:  "For the Christian, prayer is like calling home everyday."

May God bless your week!

A Surprise Package from the Postman

Don't you love surprises?  I had a nice surprise yesterday - a postal box arrived with a return address from Elmwood Inn Fine Teas & Benjamin Press.  I could hardly wait to open it!

Inside was a note from Lois [Director of Education at Elmwood Inn Fine Teas], a beautiful book, Afternoon Tea by Jane Pettigrew, and a canister of Cup of Serenity caffeine-free herbal sachets.

I hurriedly put the electric kettle on to sample the herbal tisane, which is a blend of Camomile, Rooibos, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Linden Flowers, Anise, Cinnamon, Oat Straw, Hops, Passion Flower, and Orange Peel.  Each sachet is good for two infusions.

 

I baked a batch of scones earlier in the morning, so I was all set to sit down with my new book, cup of serenity herbal infusion, and white chocolate, cranberry scone.   The infused herbs have a wonderful aroma and delicious taste, and are perfectly balanced so no single herb overpowers another.  There's a very light citrus taste that lingers on the palate between sips. It is good hot and iced, and is perfect for late afternoon or evening when caffeine indulgence isn't desired.  I highly recommend it!

  

The book is a wonderful addition to any tea lover's library.  With Jane Pettigrew as the author, it's sure to be good. It's worth having for the pictures alone, but it has informative text and recipes too.

~ Catharine of Braganza ~

~ Anna Maria, 7th Duchess of Bedford ~ 

An English family at tea, painted in the early 18th century by Richard Collins.

 ~ A family taking tea in the mid 18th century ~ 

There are many other wonderful color photographs.   The 80-page hardcover book has four chapters:  Setting the Scene; Everything Stops for Tea; Tea Parties; and Tea Trivia.  Plus a section on the best tea rooms in Britain.  Thank you Lois and Shelley!

Elmwood Inn Fine Teas is a family owned business since 1990.  They are located in Danville, Kentucky.  I had the privilege of visiting their lovely retail showroom during my Kentucky Tea Tour in March, and I blogged about it here.  Visit their website to see all the wonderful merchandise and fine teas they offer.

Afternoon Tea at a Furniture Store

I'm always fascinated by businesses that incorporate tea into their sales promotions.  On February 26th I missed the opportunity of having Afternoon Tea at the upscale furniture showroom of Scott Shuptrine in Royal Oak, MI where Charles, 9th Earl of Spencer, was the special guest.  [I'm still kicking myself!]

I read about the event a month after it had passed, in the Metro Detroit Examiner - an online publication, where friend, Barb Gulley, is the Tea Editor.  You can read her article and view her photos of the special event here.  An ad was also placed in Detroit's Hour Magazine.

[Internet Photo]

Althorp Estate [pictured above] was built in 1688, but Spencer family members have lived on the property since 1508, making it home to 19 generations, spanning over 500 years. [Althorp is in Northamptonshire, England, 75 miles northwest of London.]

Charles, 9th Earl of Spencer, and brother of the late Princess Diana, was at Scott Shuptrine to promote the Althorp Living History Furniture Collection.  He became the owner of Althorp in 1992, and launched a massive program of restoration and repair in 2009.  In connection with the restoration project, Lord Spencer partnered with Theodore Alexander to reproduce Althrop furnishings, with the proceeds from sales going to the preservation of the estate.  

I may have missed Afternoon Tea at Scott Shuptrine, but I stopped by the store recently to see the Althorp Living History Furniture Collection. A sales representative gave me permission to take photos to share on my blog, and provided me with a store catalog to read the history of the collection.

Below is the Althorp crest that was affixed to the inside of the drawer in the desk pictured above.

The furniture and accessories are beautiful.  You know my eyes immediately spotted the tea caddy sitting on the coffee table [chest on the right]. There are four tea caddies in the Althorp collection. 

 Close-up of the "Caddy of Distinction." The original is a George III, circa 1790.

~ Spencer Crest on Lid ~

 ~ The price tag ~

My friend, Barb, bought the tea caddy the day she was at Scott Shuptrine for Afternoon Tea, and Lord Spencer autographed it for her, plus she had the honor of interviewing him.  

As for me, I probably missed my one and only chance of seeing Lord Spencer in person, but life will have to go on!  ;-)  Kudos to Scott Shuptrine for hosting an Afternoon Tea to launch the Althorp furniture line.  The exquisite furnishings and Afternoon Tea were a perfect pairing.